The annual Chicago Waldorf School Marine Biology trip to Hermit Island, Maine takes place during the second week of school. Twenty years ago, we were only one of three schools to undertake this adventure. In the meantime, it has become so well-known that twenty-some Waldorf senior classes from all over the country come to the island each Fall to study marine biology in three separate sessions. This year our Chicago seniors worked together with Waldorf students from Atlanta, Chapel Hill, Washington D.C., and Boulder, Colorado--for a total of about 90 seniors during the week that we attended. Fifteen other Waldorf senior classes followed us to Hermit Island for the two sessions that followed ours.

Hermit Island, which is connected to the mainland by a sand bar, is a naturalist’s treasure. This protected area has miles of rocky shoreline which teem with marine invertebrates that the students soon become familiar with: anemones, sea stars (starfish), dog whelks, sea urchins, crabs, moon-snails, and many more organisms. The unique setting—coupled with the chance to meet, socialize, and study with students from other school—makes possible a week rich in learning experiences of many kinds.

The island has many varied settings – sandy beaches, rocky shores, grassy dunes, forest, and tidal mud flats—with large tidal swings revealing hidden life forms—as well as a forested interior where it is easy to stumble across deer, raccoons, skunks and other woodland creatures. (No bear or mountain lions, to date!)

This year, we were fortunate with the weather; although we set up camp on a stormy Sunday afternoon, the rest of the week was sunny and refreshingly cool, while still allowing those who wished the chance to swim daily in the ocean. With the pivotal help of Ms. Desouches (CWS Music Director), we ate our meals at our campsite, which had a stunning view overlooking a small cove and then out into the Atlantic Ocean. Each morning we were awakened by trap-laden lobster boats heading out to sea, and each evening we listened to them return. Although camping together is nothing new for CWS students, doing so in such a location is very special and provides the students with significant class bonding time, as well.

The first experience of life in the tide pools was a confusing jumble of color and form. By the end, though, the students were confidently naming different species of crabs and snails, and could make much more sense of this vibrant ecosystem.

During the week, the students had three sessions in the tide pools, identifying organisms and learning about which ones inhabit the various tidal zones. As is so often the case when one is confronted with a new situation, the first experience of life in the tide pools was a confusing jumble of color and form. By the end, though, the students were confidently naming different species of crabs and snails, and could make much more sense of this vibrant ecosystem. There is, after all, no comparison between looking at pictures in a book or on a screen and standing in a tide pool actually holding an animal one has just found.

Earlier in the day students attended main lesson in a large building called the “Kelp Shed,” which is a rustic old building once used for storing kelp that was later needed for vitamin production for soldiers during World War II and now serves as a café in the summer. After Labor Day, however, it is taken over by the Waldorf “insurgents,” and provides a comfortable teaching space for more than 100 students.

The morning sessions featured a classroom experience for all the students together. Each lesson was devoted to a specific marine animal phylum, followed by labs in the arts and sciences, with plenty of time between for relaxing and socializing. The students worked in groups with members from all the schools; and faculty from each school collaborated to do the teaching. It was good for everyone to experience new instructors and to work with new students in this way.

But classroom lessons are only a small part of the Hermit Island experience. Overall, the week achieves a fine balance of scientific and artistic activities. Lecture and discussion-based analysis of the morphology and behaviors of the animals is complemented by sketching of live samples, from both naked eye and microscopic views; everyone marveled at the intricate “kicking” of barnacle feet filtering the water, both in their ingenious function and their exquisite forms. A colored pencil sketch of the rocky shore accompanied the tide pool inventory. Study of dune ecology on one day was followed by painting a delicate watercolor seascape the next. Every student spent an afternoon with the English teachers writing sea-based poetry, and most lessons included singing. In good Waldorf fashion, left brain and right brain were equally nourished.

Evenings featured conversation and music of a different kind. At common campfires, classes, small groups and individuals had the chance to share something musical or otherwise artistic, and forge new social connections. One night also involved representatives from each class relating their classmates’ thoughts on the week’s theme: the earth as an organism. It is often deeply moving to hear the thoughtful way that the students are able to engage such an important topic.

One night we were treated to engaging readings from two local authors far down the island near an isolated beach under a full moon, while another evening offered a popular New England style Contra Dance at the Kelp Shed, stargazing, and moonlit beach walking.

On the last afternoon, we travelled to Popham Beach State Park, a few miles up the road from Hermit Island, where we socialized with other students and enjoyed an amazing beach with a beautiful rocky island that can be reached on foot when the tide is out. (Beware, however, that you turn back before the high tide returns!) Our finale each year involves a traditional lobster dinner at a pastoral beachside restaurant known as Spinneys, which is just down the way from Fort Popham, a Civil War-era coastal defense fortification at the mouth of the Kennebec River.

The students returned home enriched with new friendships, with a deep experience of nature far from the big city, and an appreciation of how various questions can manifest in different ways in Waldorf schools spread out across the country.

Article by Michael Holdrege, High School Science Teacher / Photos by Alberto Correa, High School Spanish Teacher

The start of a new school year means another year of learning and growth at Chicago Waldorf School, and with that comes our newly updated side yard! After a summer full of hard work and volunteering by Waldorf faculty, students, and community members, our newly redesigned side yard was unveiled at the start of the school year.

The new additions to the side yard include a slide and tire climb attached to the barn, a sandbox, a grassy hill for climbing, and a brand new fence. Waldorf students are continuously using play as a tool for learning, discovering the world around them, finding a sense of self, and also forming relationships with others. These additions will provide and even more engaging space for students to play, discover, and learn.

Thanks to our community volunteers who invested materials and chipped in to create this amazing recreation of the sideyard. Your work is enjoyed every day by the children!

Special thanks go out to Ashley Gambill, who led the project and contributed many hours to its success!

Chicago Waldorf School is also greatly appreciative of the following people and organizations for generously contributing their time, energy, and resources that helped make this happen:

Gethsamene Gardens: donated, delivered and unloaded 47 free pallets

Jay and staff at Clark/Devon Hardware: donated over $300 worth of supplies for repairing, creating, and sustaining of the fence

Tanja Buehler with Atwood Hoffmann Design LLC: created the design for the grass mounds and hauled old dirt and sand out and put new of both, built sandbox

Angelo & Elena Nikolov: donated sand, money for the slide and other new equipment to come

Mark Miller: was the architect of the original barn and also planned the newest additions and alterations

Jim Moratto: worked with Mark to install the slide, the new archways in the barn and the railings for the tire climb

Pat O'Malley: helped build the tire climb and new entryway and loaned his own tools to help build the fence

John Augustyn: built the new entryway and tire climb as well as the new table in the courtyard

Michael Berger: led the building in the pallet fence

Theresa Hermanns: helped stain the new pallet fence and water the grass on the weekends

Sideyard Task Force: designed and helped create the idea of the alternations. This group included Ashley Gambill, Andrea Shaffer, Jackie Votanek, Kristin Garrison, Katherine Rogers and Luke Goodwin, in particular who continuously checked for progress on the project, stained pallets and watered the grass

SLIDE SHOW ABOVE: Navigate the photos with the left and right arrows; or click on the image to enlarge it to full view.

Congratulations to our seniors who have come to the culmination of their Waldorf education. After their senior presentations and this Spring's service learning field trips, they have now turned to the tasks of preparing their summer plans and prepping for new experiences in college, professional training in work experiences, and travel opportunities too. We wish them the best and look forward to hearing about all their accomplishments in the future!

25 seniors venture into varied pursuits and passions...

Here are profiles of their plans for 2016-17:

Paul Bonaccorsi anticipates taking classes and continuing to create art. Paul is a dedicated artist and will continue to develop his skills in this realm while living in Chicago. His long-term goal is to establish a career in the arts.

Maddy Byrne will attend Mount Holyoke College in Massachusetts. Since 1837, Mount Holyoke has been a pioneer in higher education and leadership for women. Maddy was impressed with the strong sense of community, renowned professors and intellectual passion on campus. Mount Holyoke is part of a consortium, which includes Amherst, Smith, Hampshire and UMass – Amherst; students can cross-register for classes and also join clubs on other campuses. Maddy already contacted a club bringing musicians and other performers to the consortium.

Phil Collins looks forward to immersing himself in the creative world at Parson’s – The New School for Design in Greenwich Village in New York City. Phil visited twice and was especially energized by the unique workspaces, including professionally staffed studios, print shops, photography labs, metalworking studios and rapid prototyping facilities. Most classes have 15 students or less. The first year will be a foundation year; following that, Phil anticipates that he will major in Communications Design (a broad field that encompasses Graphic Design).

Maddie Franklin will attend Knox College, located about three hours west of Chicago, in Galesburg, Illinois. Maddie plans to study computer science, but also has a longstanding interest in Japanese studies. When visiting Knox, Maddie found that she liked the size of the campus and the welcoming attitude of students and professors. She also sat in on a computer science class and found it quite inspiring. First, however, Maddie hopes to take a gap period during the fall term; this will allow her to work, and also to take a special trip to the Caribbean with her mom.

Guthrie Gates will further his education at Ohio University, a school that ranks very highly for student satisfaction and is considered a “Best Buy” by the Fiske Guide. Ohio University has strong and extensive programs in music production, sound engineering, music composition and music for film. Guthrie will explore these areas and more. This summer Guthrie will travel with his family to California, and also hopes to begin making connections with music recording studios.

Kyra Gleason will attend the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor, a Big Ten university with an abundance of school spirit and a great college town. Kyra absolutely loves football, and will definitely be cheering in the stands, especially since Jim Harbaugh has returned to his alma mater as Head Coach! Kyra looks forward to so many aspects of college life: study abroad, research opportunities, community service, and sports; she may even take up field hockey again. Kyra hopes to study Biology, Spanish, or both, and will consider pre-med.

Niko Gorman will take a gap year, prior to college, to explore his interests in math and physics at a local community college. Starting in the summer he will study for certification in Internet Security from CompTIA Security+, a globally recognized credential for IT professionals. He will also study various programming languages in order to expand his knowledge in that area as well.

Graham Heavenrich will attend the University of Miami in Florida. Graham’s likely major will be Communications, and he may want to find a way to integrate that field with his interests in music, technology and business. The Princeton Review ranks the University of Miami #6 in the nation for race/class interaction, and is named a best Southeastern college. Prior to college, Graham will travel to Colombia for a couple of months to visit friends made while on exchange. He will also continue to shepherd his various profitable online businesses.

Taylor Jones will attend a 17-month hands-on program at Lincoln College of Technology (Lincoln Tech) in Melrose Park, Illinois, in order to become an Automotive Technician. Taylor already has some experience working on cars and knows that this is a career for which he can be enthusiastic! In the short term, this program will prepare Taylor for employment at car dealerships, independent automotive shops, service centers, and fleet maintenance departments. Taylor’s long-term goal is to own his own auto repair shop.

Liza Kahn will take a gap semester in order to study the German language intensively in Berlin via an 8-week program, found through the Goethe Institute. This opportunity will build on her exchange experience and deepen her understanding of German language and culture. Liza will also apply to liberal arts colleges for entrance in the spring semester. With many interests, including Psychology, Journalism, German and Pre-Law, Liza is looking forward to academic exploration. Wherever she lands, she also hopes to be involved with track/running, photography and yearbook.

Juliet Kelson will further her education at Macalester College, one of the few national liberal arts colleges located in a large city. Macalester has an international focus; its International Studies department is one of the oldest (and deepest) in the nation, and Juliet is considering this field of study. Juliet is looking forward to studying abroad, as well as the interdisciplinary nature of a liberal arts education. Minneapolis-St. Paul has a vibrant music scene, and Juliet anticipates some new performance opportunities.

Maddie Kelson will move to Nashville, Tennessee for a self-financed gap year prior to enrolling at Macalester College in Minnesota. Maddie plans to immerse herself in the music scene of the “Country Music Capital of the U.S.” With no academic demands for a full year, she will be able to write, perform, and learn the “ins” and “outs” of making it in the music business. Once at Macalester, in the fall of 2017, Maddie hopes to pursue a field of study that will overlap with her interests in philosophy, writing, psychology and music.

Dylan Kulik will also join the student body at Macalester College. He is looking forward to academic exploration in the areas of environmental science, geology, geography, and more. Dylan is already in touch with other incoming Macalester students who are interested in environmental concerns and renewable energy. Given Dylan’s interests, it is fortuitous that Macalester ranks first in the nation for National Science Foundation grants per capita at liberal arts colleges. Dylan is also happy to have Juliet Kelson (also attending Macalester) and Sam Liss (attending St. Olaf) nearby.

Delphine Lazar will attend Eugene Lang – The New School for Liberal Arts, located in Greenwich Village in New York City. Delphine is currently interested in one of two majors: Journalism, or Culture & Media. She has also applied for a 5-year Dual Degree Program offered in conjunction with Parson’s – The New School for Design. At Parson’s, Delphine is attracted to the majors of Fashion Design or Integrated Design. Eugene Lang is notable for its seminar-style classes, and for its occasionally experimental and avant-garde courses.

Nick Leonard will attend Skidmore College in New York to study theater. Skidmore has a unique theater program, which allows greater immersion into the craft than the typical liberal arts college; however, students still benefit from a well-rounded education and the variety of opportunities available. He is considering a minor in Literature, particularly early 20th century literature, or Economics. Although he was offered a fully paid Freshman Semester in London for fall of 2016, he has opted instead to become acclimated to the school with the rest of the freshman class.

Sam Liss will head to St. Olaf College in Minnesota. He was attracted to St. Olaf’s strong programs in Math and Theater. Sam is particularly excited to study advanced math and describes it as a beautiful subject that approaches philosophy. Another appealing program is The Great Conversation, a series of five courses about western civilization, which traces the evolution of literacy and artistic expression, philosophic thought, religious belief, and the sciences of human behavior into the modern world. Sam may participate in chess club, but looks forward to exploring his interests.

Emina Music will attend Lake Forest College, an advantageous choice. She is undecided about a major, but leans toward the sciences, and Lake Forest will be opening a state-of-the-art multi-disciplinary science center in 2018. Pharmacy and neuroscience are future career possibilities. Emina found Lake Forest to be a peaceful, harmonious and beautiful campus, and the students seemed very happy. She is interested in intramural sports and internships. Emina also received an art scholarship and may be interested in becoming involved with the student-run art museum on campus.

Max Renton will attend Central Saint Martins in London, England, a constituent college of the University of the Arts London. Currently it is the top ranking fashion design school in the world. Max is enthusiastic about the challenge that he will encounter next year. He described it as a competitive community in which students must work hard each year to secure a space in the next year’s class; Max believes this will challenge him to do his best work. At the same time, Max will have the freedom to explore various areas of specialization, such as graphic design and industrial design.

Chris Richards will attend Columbia College Chicago, the largest and most diverse arts/media college in the U.S. He finds it to be a creative and inspiring environment. Video game design is an appealing field of study for Chris; he especially looks forward to the group projects that are integral to this program. In fact, Columbia has a number of related majors: Game Development, Game Programming, Game Sound Design, Mobile Media Programming, Game Art, and Interaction Design. Chris plans to live at home for the first semester.

Siubhan Stormont will take a gap year prior to attending Southern Illinois University in Carbondale as a full-tuition University Excellence Scholarship recipient. Siubhan plans to study drama and minor in dance. A feature of the department is that all theater majors are assigned a Theater Faculty Mentor. In addition, the McLeod Summer Playhouse -- a professional theater company, which presents popular theater to the southern Illinois region -- provides professional level experience for SIU students. Siubhan also looks forward to studying abroad and to the numerous extracurricular options.

Silvia Sukenic will enroll at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign as a James Scholar, an honors program that offers professional development workshops, small honors classes, and research opportunities. Silvia will major in Special Education at UIUC, a program which is ranked 8th in the nation. Silvia is enthusiastic about working with young children, but will be certified to work with ages 5 – 21. She was impressed that the campus was quite diverse. La Casa Cultural Latina, an organization that hosts cultural, educational and social advocacy programs, holds interest for Silvia.

Conor Sullivan will attend Rollins College in Florida, where he is one of ten students who received the Alfond Scholarship. Alfond Scholars are mentored as candidates for intellectual academic recognition as Rhodes, Truman, and Goldwater scholars, and as recipients of other prestigious awards. On his visit to Rollins, Conor was impressed with the style of teaching, the sense of community, and the support for self-directed learning. It was clear to Conor that the students at Rollins enjoy learning and want to be there. Conor looks forward to study abroad opportunities, particularly in Spain.

Shannon Sullivan will also attend Rollins College as part of the Honor’s Program as a Dean’s Scholar, and will live in the honors dorm. Shannon notes that Rollins is a beautiful campus with faculty who seem to share some similarities with Waldorf teachers. Shannon hopes to study abroad, possibly more than once. She can envision getting involved with theater productions, but would like to leave the possibilities for involvement (as well as her major) open for the time being. Shannon will travel to Colombia this summer to reconnect with friends from her exchange experience.

Tan Vasikachart will attend IFA (International Fashion Academy) Paris, a program that is limited to 25 incoming students each year. Tan is one of five finalists for one of two full tuition scholarships that are awarded each year. She was impressed with the way in which the program combines contemporary fashion with French heritage. IFA Paris also has campuses in Shanghai and Istanbul, and offers exchange opportunities on those campuses and elsewhere for students to study abroad. Tan hopes to travel with her family this summer before departing for Paris.

Grace White will attend Knox College, one of the Colleges That Change Lives. During her visit to Knox, Grace was impressed by the openness of the people she met on campus. In true liberal arts fashion, she hopes to find a way to combine her interests in photography, German, and history. Of note, Washington Monthly ranks Knox College #11 nationally based on contribution to the public good. In addition, a new arts building, complete with photography dark rooms, will open in the fall.

Congratulations to all our graduates!

BIG NEWS! Congratulate our High School Athletes…

The High School Boys Varsity Volleyball team won the championship game last night against the Lyceé Francais team in the Chicago Metro Prep division. During the regular season, they were undefeated in league and non-conference games! This small 7 person team posted a 14-0 record including the playoffs. The team’s level of play is so exceptional because this group (of primarily 10th graders) have been together for so long; they have built up experience and trust; an amazing work ethos and collaborative relationship because of the way they have approached sports together. This blend of strategy, holding positions and familiar teamwork has led to the team's stability and excellent gameplay.

Congratulations to head coach, Daniele Marder, MVP of the tournament, Levi Schneider, and all the athletes on the team for their outstanding efforts!

What a great season so far; Next the team will be competing in the regionals tournament on May 23rd-25th for boasting rights against regional competition in Illinois. We send them our best wishes for their final games of the year!

Levi Schneider and Elijah Marder form a wall of defense at the net. Conference champs- 3rd year in a row!

Not pictured: Alexander Levinson and Ayastan Sherniyazov provided a strong and secure back line of defense
receiving spikes and feeding returns to setter Andrew Chungbin to place for the front line attackers.

Beginning senior year with good clean fun--of sorts!--at the Marine Biology Field Research Trip to Hermit Island, Maine.

This year at Chicago Waldorf High School, twenty-two of our graduating seniors have applied to a college or university. The schools below have accepted our graduating seniors as of 4/11/2016. Merit scholarship offers have been generous as colleges attempt to lure the most qualified students.

In fact, in 2015-16 the seniors amassed over
$3 million in merit scholarship offers!

A number of colleges/universities are new to our list when compared with the last few years. These schools include New York University, University of Miami, Central St. Martins – University of the Arts London, Arizona State Honors College, University of Central Florida Honors College, Fashion Institute of Technology, and Berklee College of Music. College familiarity with CWS continues to expand with each graduating class. Congratulations to our seniors and their families!

May Fair 2016

Saturday, May 14th / 10am – 4pm

The Chicago Waldorf School May Fair brings together everything you love about Waldorf: community connections for the parents; old-fashioned playful fun for the kids.

Activities for All Ages
New this year; enjoy dousing some of your favorite faculty and parents in the dunk tank. Activities include: face-painting, tie-dyeing shirts, hand henna tattoos & child-made crafts. See our community perform on the Entertainment Stage: music, drama, singing, circus club performances, storytelling and more.

Children’s Maypole Dance(time: 12:00 noon / location: Street Stage)
The iconic focus of May Fair is the children’s maypole dance, a tradition started centuries ago. The maypole bears garlands and is a symbol for growth and the Spring. The 4th grade will weave the maypole ribbons in complex dance patterns to the musical accompaniment of the 5th grade. In the participation round, younger children are invited to partner with the 4th graders to wind and weave the maypole.

Shop for Crafts and Special Opportunities
The May Fair features a Silent Auction offering great packages. And we have many unique vendors and exhibitors. Shop the Artisan Vendors tables for beautiful wares!

There is a Children’s Vendors Area too. Here 5th graders sell fairy doorways.

YOUNG KIDS:
The kindergarten tea room, treasure hunt, make jump-ropes, “Roll the Troll” bowling, face painting, storytelling, and many more games await our youngest children...

Celebrate Spring outdoors with us at the May Fair!

the2016 spring festival RECYCLE DRIVE

Its Spring; Lets celebrate rebirth from decay and breathe new life into cast-aways and discards! Time to clear out those closets and lighten the clutter in your basement or attic. Our community members' material donations are being accepted this week until Friday, April 15th. In our main entrance you will find labelled bins and buckets where you can donate these used items for recycling:

Computers • Printers/Screens • Electronics

Batteries • Cell-phones • Ink Cartridges

All electronics will be recycled through a CWS parent owned company, Huron Paper Stock. Or donate your used clothing & shoes for children through a midwives program supporting new parents in Casa Maternal de Nacimiento in Guatemala.

Clothing & Shoes (for Children in Guatemala)

All clothes and shoes will be donated to children from birth to 10 years old. Their regional weather is cold and rainy- so warm clothes welcome and please no shorts/skirts/flip flops/sleeveless shirts. Only sizes up to 10 yrs. old will be shipped.

To conclude and honor the day's hard work, join the school students, faculty and staff for our annual:

CWS Spring Festival

Friday April 15th • 12:30 pm
Auditorium • Rogers Park Campus

To celebrate Spring's outward facing sense of renewal, the students engage in festival activities throughout the day including: work details that pick up trash in the neighborhood. Caretaking of the 2nd generation Sophia Garden, planting and mulching of the grounds and sideyard. Cleaning of the school hallways, auditorium and maintenance of the recycling programs bins as well as final sorting and loading of all materials collected from the 2016 Recycle Drive.

After a shared lunch across partnered grades, the full grades and High School come together in the auditorium for a Spring Festival Assembly. Parents and friends are welcome to attend at 12:30 in the auditorium.

Finally students conclude the festival in the afternoon with various races and team games at Albion beach, while the older grades play capture the flag at a nearby beach.

Talking With Our Children About Difference

An Inclusion and Diversity Symposium

Tuesday, April 5, 2016
7:00 pm - 9:00 pm

As our world grows more connected it will become increasingly important for the “adults of tomorrow” to be able to work collaboratively with a broadly diverse population. Race, ethnicity, gender identity, sexuality and ability are just some examples of difference we encounter in our time.

Join the discussion as the Inclusion & Diversity Committee hosts a conversation on “talking about difference” with our children while cultivating a sense of appreciation for others.

This parent evening is sponsored by the Inclusion & Diversity Committee, and supported by the CWS faculty & administration